Neighbours car rolled into mine!

s-j-cooper_2

Last night a car parked opposite mine rolled slowly into the side of my car after the handbrake hadn't been put on tight enough.

It has caused some light scratches and scuff marks down the side of my car, along with a small dent where the front and back passenger doors meet.

The guy came out straight away, apologised and admitted liability and he wants to pay for it rather than put it through his insurance as he has a £400 excess. He has been in touch with a guy who does all the bodywork for a local garage and he will come and see the damage next week, giving a quote etc.

I'm fine with all this, but my only concern is that the dent will be a bigger problem than it first sems because of the shape and where it is. I think it could need the door replacing (I don't know for sure).

I'm happy to wait for the guy to come and give a quote/ advice etc, but I'm concerned that the time between the accident happening and something being done about it might be a bit long (probably 4/5 days).

So my question is: Do I need to inform anyone now (my insurance company? police?) about the incident incase it does need to go through his insurance after all? Or is it alright to wait for the guy to come and give a quote/ advice?

Thanks in advance!

naijapower

No, wait for the guy to quote. In the meantime take it to a bodywork shop of your choice so they can inspect, advise and quote you as well.
You can then compare their quote and assessment the one provided by your neighbour

pogofish

Whilst it is indeed a courtesy to allow him the option of getting it repaired privately, the ball is entirely in your court, so if you are in the slightest bit concerned about the quality or capability of his repairer, you are absolutely entitled to insist this goes down the insurer-route. However, it is true that a competent independant bodyshop or traditional panel beater will almost always quote a much better price for cash than an "insurance approved" repairer. Getting an alternative quote is also a good idea - As sometimes these "mates" repairs can be more than a little iffy.

Equally, whatever your decision, I hope you got his full details anyway. Again, he cannot withold them for any reason.

You don't need to inform the police if there are no injuries but strictly, you should inform your insurer about the damage. However, if you reach an amicable arrangement, I personally don't see the need. This little oversight is highly unlikely to come back to bite you.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

s-j-cooper wrote: »

Last night a car parked opposite mine rolled slowly into the side of my car after the handbrake hadn't been put on tight enough.

More likely that the handbrake was on but the discs cooled and contracted.

kevin0410

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

More likely that the handbrake was on but the discs cooled and contracted.

Meaning that the handbrake wasn't put on tight enough!

Hintza

kevin0410 wrote: »

Meaning that the handbrake wasn't put on tight enough!

Perhaps, but from what I read this is becoming a more common problem. Any decent car used to have drum brakes for the handbrake in addition to discs.

Bossyboots

s-j-cooper wrote: »

The guy came out straight away, apologised and admitted liability and he wants to pay for it rather than put it through his insurance as he has a £400 excess.

The policyholder doesn't usually pay an excess on third party claims.

Mr_Warren_2

He might not have to pay any excess but the claim goes against his record so i would wait and see what the proposed repairs are and then if not happy, go to your insurance. If happy, you have made a friend of your neighbour.